Gheo-shih facts for kids

Gheo-shih (pronounced Gay-oh-shee), meaning "River of the Gourd Trees" in the Zapotec language, is an ancient open-air site. It was used between about 5000 BC and 3000 BC. Found in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico, Gheo-shih is special because it shows some of the earliest examples of buildings used for community events and ceremonies.

At this site, archaeologists found a clear area lined with large rocks. People think this space was used for important rituals, dances, or even sports. Gheo-shih might have hosted 25 to 30 people at a time. It is believed to have been a gathering spot for small groups of people, called microbands, especially during the rainy seasons of the Archaic period.

Where is Gheo-shih Located?

Gheo-shih is found in the Oaxaca Valley. This valley is in the southwestern highlands of what is now Mexico. The site covers an area of about 100 by 150 meters, which is roughly 1.5 hectares. It sits at an elevation of 1,660 meters above sea level.

During the rainy season, from June to September, the area was rich with food. There were many mesquite pods and fruits. People also grew squash and gourds there. This made it a great place for ancient communities to gather.

Discovering Gheo-shih's Past

Archaeologists began digging at Gheo-shih in 1967. The University of Michigan led these efforts. Key archaeologists included Frank Hole, along with the husband-and-wife team Kent Flannery and Joyce Marcus.

Their first digs uncovered two main layers of history. The top layer dated back to 5000-4000 BC. The lower, older layer was from around 7000 BC.

The Mystery of the Cleared Area

The most important discovery was in the lower section. It was a cleared area, about 7 by 20 meters, lined with parallel rows of large boulders. This space had almost no artifacts in it.

Many ideas exist about what this area was for. Flannery and Marcus's ideas are the most accepted. They believed this open space was used for rituals, dances, and possibly athletic games. This fits with how small groups of people, called microbands and macrobands, lived.

These gatherings were likely "ad hoc," meaning they happened when many people were present. They were not tied to specific dates or times.

Artifacts Found at the Site

Archaeologists also found other items at Gheo-shih. These included pieces of grinding stones like metate and mano (stone). They also found atlatl points, which were spear-throwers.

Evidence of lapidary work was also present. This means people shaped and polished small stones and pebbles. They also made chipped stone tools. Oval rings of stone were found too. These are thought to be the remains of walls from ancient homes. All these finds were located around the main cleared area.

Dating the Site with Carbon-14

The age of Gheo-shih was determined using Carbon-14 dating. This method measures the decay of carbon in ancient materials. Scientists used two small pieces of charcoal, likely burnt twigs, from the lower layer.

These pieces gave dates of 7630-7570 BC and 7720-7560 BC. This helped confirm how old the site truly is.

Why Gheo-shih is Important

Ancient Social Groups

Gheo-shih was used during the Archaic period. This was a time when small family groups, called microbands, were common. Archaeologists believe these microbands lived separately during times when food was scarce.

Then, during seasons with plenty of food, they would come together. They formed larger groups called macrobands at bigger sites. Gheo-shih is thought to be one of these important gathering places.

Evidence like abundant food sources and non-survival activities supports this idea. When macrobands formed, "ad hoc" rituals or sports events would take place. This happened because the most people would be present. This helps explain the purpose of Gheo-shih's main feature: the boulder-lined cleared area.

Crafting Stone Ornaments

Archaeological finds at Gheo-shih show evidence of lapidary work. Small pebbles with carved holes were discovered. These were likely used as decorative ornaments.

This discovery is very important. It shows that the people living there had enough time and resources for activities beyond just finding food. They could create art and decorations. This also supports the idea that Gheo-shih was a place where larger groups gathered.

See also

In Spanish: Gheo Shih para niños